Archive · 1 Oct 2026
October Rules Bring Fuel, UPI, Banking And LPG Changes
Several new rules are scheduled to begin in October.
In Delhi, a vehicle may not be allowed to buy fuel if it does not have a valid pollution certificate.
This system is planned for 500 fuel stations with number-plate recognition.
Some UPI payments made to merchants above Rs 2,000 may have a small fee.
Sending money from one person to another will still be free.
SBI salary-account customers will get fewer free withdrawals at other banks’ ATMs.
LPG customers seeking subsidised cylinders must complete biometric Aadhaar authentication.
New charges will also apply to some National Pension System accounts.
People should check official notices because the dates and details may change.
From October 1, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate will reportedly be denied fuel in Delhi at 500 equipped stations.
A 0.4% merchant discount rate will apply from October 15 to UPI merchant payments above Rs 2,000, while person-to-person transfers remain free.
The Supreme Court has issued notices over the proposed UPI charge but declined to order an interim stay.
State Bank of India Salary Package Account holders will receive five free monthly transactions at other banks’ ATMs, down from ten.
Biometric Aadhaar authentication will be required for subsidised domestic LPG, while new National Pension System charges will also begin in October.
- Who
- Drivers, UPI merchants and customers, State Bank of India salary-account holders, subsidised LPG customers and National Pension System subscribers are affected; the changes involve the Delhi government, the Reserve Bank of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Supreme Court.
- What
- Several October rule changes concern vehicle pollution certificates, UPI merchant fees, ATM withdrawals, LPG authentication and National Pension System charges.
- When
- The main changes begin on October 1 and October 15; the RBI policy decision is due on October 7. The article identifies the fuel rule as beginning October 1, 2026.
- Where
- The fuel rule applies in Delhi, with reporting that the related system covers the wider National Capital Region; the other changes concern services in India.
- Why
- The fuel measure is intended to enforce pollution certification, while the UPI change ends a six-year zero-MDR policy; the article does not provide a separate reason for every other change.
Policy Supporters
Critics And Challengers
UPI merchant charges
Policy Supporters
The government says about 96% of person-to-merchant transactions will be unaffected, while the fee ends a six-year zero-MDR policy.
Critics And Challengers
Business groups say the charge could increase costs, and merchant associations warn that businesses may pass those costs to buyers.
Legal challenge to the UPI fee
Policy Supporters
The charge is scheduled to take effect because the Supreme Court declined to grant an interim stay.
Critics And Challengers
The challenge remains active: the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the Reserve Bank of India and the National Payments Corporation of India.
Fuel and pollution enforcement
Policy Supporters
Delhi’s government is promoting the certificate check as a pollution-control measure, with awareness efforts planned in October and PUC-centre upgrades in November.
Critics And Challengers
The rule adds a condition for obtaining fuel, and its reported coverage and timing differ: the article says it is not nationwide while also reporting a wider National Capital Region direction.
- Fuel rule
- Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate may be denied fuel from October 1, 2026.
- Delhi coverage
- The campaign is planned for all 500 fuel stations equipped with number-plate recognition systems.
- UPI fee
- A 0.4% merchant discount rate applies to merchant payments above Rs 2,000 from October 15.
- UPI cap
- The fee is capped at Rs 300 for transactions above Rs 75,000; person-to-person transfers remain free.
- ATM allowance
- State Bank of India Salary Package Account holders get five free transactions monthly at other banks’ ATMs, reduced from ten.
- LPG authentication
- Domestic LPG customers must complete biometric Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidised cylinders.
- NPS charges
- New charges include Rs 200 once per PRAN and a recurring 0.20% of assets under management.